TIRES

At H & S Automotive we value the safety of our customers above all else. We want to ensure that you get to where you're going every time with a reliable and safe vehicle. A major problem area for the cars and trucks that come into H & S Automotive, are tires. Your tires are your connection to the road, and without them doing their job properly, all the handling development and safety testing that went into your car may not keep you safe. Here is some basic information on your tires and how to know when the time has come for replacements.

Why are old or bad tires dangerous?

As stated above, your tires are an extremely important component of your car or truck. If you've ever been out of control in a vehicle, you'll know how scary being a powerless passenger inside a two ton metal box can be. Driving on tires that are too old, improperly inflated, out of balance, or not suited to weather conditions can spell disaster for your safe journey. Your tires were designed with a very specific task in mind. Using them improperly can have sudden and catastrophic consequences.

Signs your tires need air

This issue can be fairly simple to spot. If your tire seems to be wider at the part which contacts the road, they probably need to be topped up with air. Driving on under-inflated tires wears them out faster due to uneven pressure on the sidewall and can lead to full-on flats and even end up shredding the tire off the wheel! Low tire pressure ruins your vehicle's fuel economy. If you've ever ridden a bicycle with under-inflated tires you know how much extra effort you have to put in to get moving and stay rolling. On the flip side of this, driving with too much air in your tires is also unsafe. While it's unlikely that hitting a large pothole would cause the tire to burst (remember they're built to last for thousands of miles) having too much air pressure in a tire reduces the size of the contact patch, or the area where rubber meets road. This can lead to less grip and control over your vehicle. Every tire manufacturer prints the correct tire pressure on the side of their tires, so it's easy to find out the perfect pressure for your ride.

Signs your tires are out of tread

As with having over-inflated tires, a lack of tread can lead to less control and worse handling for your car or truck. Your tires' tread patterns help them to hold the road as well as channeling mud and water away from the areas that need to do the gripping. Without enough tread depth, your car can ride up on top of water on the road and cause you a complete loss of control. There are a few common methods of measuring tread depth, such as using a penny to gauge whether or not it's time to replace your tires, but we recommend coming into H & S Automotive in Hagerstown, MD for a professional opinion on the matter. Not all tires are created equal and must be replaced at different times.

Signs your tires are damaged

Signs that your tires are damaged can come from a few sources. A visual inspection can catch potential problems before they become major issues such as nails or rocks embedded in the tread grooves. Always remember that there's a great deal of pressure contained within your tires. If you see any gashes, bubbles or hear the hiss of air escaping it's best to stay away from that tire and enlist the help of a professional. Believe us, you don't want a tire exploding anywhere near you.

You can sometimes feel tire damage while driving. If your car begins to make strange noises as it goes down the road or the handling suddenly becomes worse you should pull over as soon as it's safe. Driving on a flat is a bad idea, and can often lead to more severe damage to your vehicle.

What can and cannot be repaired

Tires are expensive and we take any opportunity we can to repair them safely and save you money. Small punctures can often be plugged and patched (it should always be both!) but sometimes the tire's day is done. If the puncture is on the outer edge of the tire (outside the tread) it's probably unsafe to repair. The same goes for a tire that's been driven on while flat. In this case the sidewall has become weakened and the tire is no longer safe. As with recommended pressures, each manufacturer has guides for what can and what can't be repaired.

At H & S Automotive, customer safety is our number one priority. We hope you'll be a little safer with this information. If you'd like to talk about whether your tires may need inspection or replacement, call us at 301-733-1300 or visit us at 735 Potomac Ave in Hagerstown, MD. Happy travels!

We offer most major brands of tires. These are a few of our preferred brands.

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H & S Automotive

Vehicle tips

According to recent studies, 5 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile maintenance neglect.

The cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The level, condition, and concentration of coolant should be checked. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.)

Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps and hoses should be checked by a pro.

Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual, or more often (every 3,000 miles) if you make frequent short jaunts, extended trips with lots of luggage or tow a trailer.

Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended, or more often in dusty conditions. Get engine drivability problems (hard stops, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good shop.

A dirty windshield causes eye fatigue and can pose a safety hazard. Replace worn blades and get plenty of windshield washer solvent.

Have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles. Check tire pressures once a month; let the tires cool down first. Don't forget your spare and be sure your jack is in good condition.

ASSOCIATIONS

Testimonials

A very friendly business and hard working crew. If you need work done on your vehicle check them out. John will help you get her done.-Patsy F.

The service at H & S was excellent! I called one day and my car was dropped off and fixed the next! Gary and Tim are very knowledgeable and know what they are doing. I highly recommend
H & S for all your vehicle needs!-Jeremy L.

I like an automobile shop where I know I'm going to get an honest repair and input on anything else my car may need to stay dependable, this is one of a few shops like this. Thanks for the great work you do.
-David D.

Don't think twice you found your mechanic. I love H & S they have to be the most friendly, efficient, and honest people. The owner John gets to know you and your car. He is always going above and beyond to make sure that your problem is fixed. Always making sure that you get the best prices for the work needed. Definitely not afraid to get his hands dirty. Gary the mechanic is always pleasant and extremely informative and won't stop until he's postive the job is satisfactory. Tim in the main office he is a breath of fresh air he makes the first moment you call inviting. He always has a listening ear to what's going on and gets you in the shop quick. The greatest thing about them all they don't only tell you what's wrong but they explain everything to you so you can have an understand why your car needs the repair.-Ashley J.

Awesome customer service, thank you again Tim. I will definitely recommend and bring my vehicle back to them in the future. Fast, friendly and helpful service.-Connie F.

H & S Automative accomadated us for a walk-in visit due to our AC failing on a long road trip. They had us in and out in and hour. Genuine people. Would highly recommend.-Kelly J.

Too put this super short and sweet. If you want honest mechanics, who will also take the time too explain issues too you and how too prevent them, look no further. This is my second visit and I could not be more happy. Thank you John and anyone else who has been in contact with us or had worked on our vehicle. True professionals.-Michael H.

These guys were amazing. I read a lot of the reviews so it seems as though they were very good. I went in with the expectations of not expecting a lot but I am completely satisfied with their work and their ability to explain everything. I have found a shop that I will be using for a very long time. The prices are very fair there's no way you can get Great labor at a cheap price you pay for what you get and with these guys I know I will get excellent service thanks John and Tim for everything!!-David B.